unusually / dangerously high mains voltage at home

[nathandance1996]

I noticed late at night (11pm) that the 40w bulb in my lamp was unusually bright and slightly blue in color rather than yellow, the same happened with the ceiling lights, both mains and 12v. I have recently had local electrical problems such as brownouts, so I measured the mains voltage with a multimeter, it should 285v ac, it should only show 250v max according to guidelines.

Could this be dangerous and cause devices to fail or worse, cause a fire?
the local transformer at the end of the road is full of grass and hasn't been maintained, could this be partly to blame?

 

[Marvo]

285V is very high assuming your test equipment is accurate. High voltages can be caused by a neutral fault. I would strongly suggest you get an electrician around to do some basic tests before your appliances go toes-up.

 

[Strima]

I suggest you either contact your energy supplier or DNO (old National Grid) ASAP.

You will find your DNO here: National Grid: Distribution Network Operator (DNO) Companies

 

[alarm man]

285V is very high assuming your test equipment is accurate. High voltages can be caused by a neutral fault. I would strongly suggest you get an electrician around to do some basic tests before your appliances go toes-up.

the dno would be a better call

 

[steveberry11]

I think that you should get an electrician in to check your home if you have any concerns. Wilh calibrated test meters.

 

[Guitarist]

If you believe your supply voltage is higher than it should be, then you can pay to have an electrician check it out, and assuming it is too high you can then contact the DNO.
Alternatively, find out if the DNO will come and check it for free...most will.

 

[Strima]

I would have suggested a spark first off but the OP mentioned 'local' problems which I read as more than his/her property being affected.

Edit: OP where are you located? One of the forum members may be able to assist.

 

[Farmelectrics]

Have you had any problems with lamps blowing

 

[nathandance1996]

I would have suggested a spark first off but the OP mentioned 'local' problems which I read as more than his/her property being affected.

Edit: OP where are you located? One of the forum members may be able to assist.

I am located near Bognor Regis, I'm not sure if power problems are a nationwide or only regional problem, as we have also had voltage drops in the day (lights turning off then on for a second, this causes all the workshop lights to go out for a few minutes as they are HID bulbs)

 

[nathandance1996]

sse are the company that are supposed to maintain substations, transformers and streetlights, we have recently had all the street lights replaced, so they may not have had time to maintain the local distribution systems

 

[Strima]

Bit far for me to travel. Have to called anyone in yet?

 

[La Poste]

street lights will come out the councils budget maintaining a TX will come out of distributors budget, that's probably why they are dragging their heels.

 

[Farmelectrics]

totally agree call an electrician to test and inspect could just be something daft